Tim Horton

The first Tim Hortons coffee shop opened on May 17, 1964, in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. The restaurant was co-founded by Canadian hockey player Tim Horton and businessman Jim Charade. This marked the beginning of what would eventually become Canada's largest quick-service restaurant chain, known for its coffee and donuts. The original menu featured just two items: coffee and donuts.

In 1967, after three years of running the chain, Tim Horton partnered with Ron Joyce, a former Hamilton police officer. This partnership significantly expanded the chain. Under Joyce’s leadership, the company grew from one store in Hamilton to a multi-million dollar franchise. Joyce played a crucial role in the business as the driving force behind its explosive growth throughout Canada.

Hockey player and entrepreneur Tim Horton died on February 21, 1974, in a car crash on the Queen Elizabeth Way highway near St. Catharines, Ontario. At the time, Tim Hortons had 40 locations across Canada. Horton's death was a tragic milestone in the history of the restaurant chain, but the business continued to grow substantially afterwards under Ron Joyce's leadership.

After Tim Horton's death, Ron Joyce acquired full control of Tim Hortons. Under his stewardship, the chain continued its expansive growth in Canada and internationally. Joyce's effective business strategies and leadership helped grow the company exponentially. By this time, the restaurant had established itself as a Canadian icon.

Tim Hortons merged with Wendy's International, Inc. in 1995. The merger was motivated by strategic interests to expand the brand’s reach across North America. Under Wendy's, Tim Hortons experienced significant growth and became the largest coffee and baked goods chain in Canada. This merger paved the way for Tim Hortons to enter the U.S. market.

On March 24, 2006, Tim Hortons was spun off as a separate entity from Wendy's and went public on the Toronto Stock Exchange and the New York Stock Exchange. The Initial Public Offering (IPO) was a success, and Tim Hortons' shares quickly increased in value. This marked a new chapter in its history, establishing its identity as a standalone company.

In December 2014, Tim Hortons merged with Burger King in a deal worth over $11 billion, forming a new company, Restaurant Brands International. The merger was driven by a desire to form one of the world’s largest fast-food companies and to leverage shared resources and expertise globally. Despite the merger, Tim Hortons continued to operate as a distinct brand.

Tim Hortons opened its first store in the United Kingdom on March 12, 2017, in Glasgow, Scotland. This was part of an international expansion strategy to bring the beloved Canadian brand to new markets around the world. The expansion into the UK represented a significant milestone in its efforts to grow outside of North America.

Tim Hortons launched its first location in China on June 1, 2018, in Shanghai. The entry into China represented a major step in its international growth strategy. Partnering with Cartesian Capital Group, the company aimed to open more than 1,500 outlets in China over the next decade. The expansion was a move to capture the burgeoning coffee culture in China.

In 2023, Tim Hortons celebrated 20 years of its iconic 'Roll Up The Rim to Win' promotion, an annual contest that has become a highly anticipated event for customers in Canada and beyond. The promotional event involves customers buying a beverage for a chance to win various prizes by rolling up the rim of their paper cups. The promotion has been credited with driving significant sales and fostering customer loyalty.